Created on Sunday, 15 September 2013
Written by BY DAN ROBINSON, Kenton Times staff writer

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Ethics Commission has issued a public reprimand to former Upper Scioto Valley Schools Superintendent Rick Rolston for giving employment within the district to members of his family.

RICK ROLSTON

According to the report from the commission, Rolston was the subject of an investigation which began Dec. 1, 2008 and concluded Aug. 1, 2012.

The investigation found Rolston violated the Ohio Revised Code when he “participated in matters related to the employment of his sister and son.”

According to the report from that investigation, on Jan. 5, 2009, Rolston’s sister, Karla Ritchey resigned as the district’s assistant to the athletic director and was recommended by Rolston for employment as the accounts payable/accounts receivable clerk. Ritchey’s job later was changed to continuing EMIS/accounts payable clerk.

On Sept. 2, 2009, Rolston “sent an e-mail to the district payroll manager, ordering a $.90 per hour pay increase for Karla Ritchey.”

In June, 2010, Rolston recommended the approval of a job change for Ritchey, in which she would be the fiscal officer; EMIS coordinator at the Wind Academy, a community school supported by USV.

On Aug. 10, 2010, Rolston recommended to the board his son, Lance Rolston, be employed as a high school/middle school intervention specialist.

The Ethics Commission found Rolston’s participation in the hiring of family members was limited to making formal recommendations to the USV board of education.

Rolston was dismissed by the board of education in Jan. 2012 in a 3-2 vote. Ritchey has been laid off at the school.

The report from the commission notes an investigation by the Auditor of State’s office into Rolston “failed to substantiate allegations of financial mismanagement.

The report continues, Rolston has cooperated with the Ethics Commission staff in its investigation and acknowledges violating state laws in the issue.

The commission announced it “hereby issues a public reprimand to Rick Rolston for violations of Ethics Laws in lieu of a referral of this matter to the local prosecuting attorney.”